Air rifle



E. J. COLLINS EI'AL 2,845,055

AIR RIFLE July 29, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 29, 1955 INV T0 fbmmo (/6015; 0 0 240 52 mo amass 5 0944/ BY Z Tl/flk Ja me/v5)- July 29, 1958 E. J. COLLINS EI'AL 2,845,055

AIR RIFLE Filed March 29, 1955 4 Sh gets-Sheec 2 M H m g/M mum M Eda f V o f w 5 ME w W W y 1958 E. J. COLLINS ETAL 2,845,055

AIR RIFLE I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 29, 1955 O OOOOOO 151 nvmvroa ipnmep 1/ Jazz/Ms m d/mms' AA? Jazums United States PatentO Pail AIR RIFLE Edward James Collins and James Lee Collins, West Los Angeles, Calif., assignors, by direct and mesne assign ments, to Lyndon A. Durant, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 29, 1955, Serial No. 497,584

12 Ciaims. (Cl. 124-11) Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in an air rifle. As such, the invention has as one of its objects the provision of an arrangement for automatically feeding into an air rifle BB shot or other pellets and for subsequently firing the shot therefrom under pneumatic pressure. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a low pressure means for loading a shot into firing position in an air rifle and high pressure means for firing the shot from the rifle, together with means for effecting the sequence of operation of the low pressure and the high pressure means.

A still further object of the invention is to Provide a novel arrangement for loading and firing a shot from an air rifle in a manner such that the spinning of the shot is reduced to a standstill, resulting in an absence of defiection of the path of travel of the shot.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus having the above characteristics which may be used as a coin-controlled target practicing apparatus.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the shot loading and firing mechanism embodied in the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, showing the parts in a different position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional detail view of the hopper taken substantially on line 5,5. of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on line 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on line 77 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary part sectional detail view of a rifle embodied in the invention;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig, l0; 7

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on line iii-i lic t Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on line 11-11 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a suggested circuit embodied in the invention;

Figs. 13 and 14 are schematic views of two timing discs and associated switches embodied in the invention.

In the preferred form of construction, the simulated rifie comprises a stock from which extends a tube 21 to which is attached in any suitable manner a barrel 22 through which the shot, such as BBs or other pellets, are expelled under pneumatic pressure. This barrel 22 is secured to the tube 21 in any suitable manner and includes a sight 23. Inserted in the end 24 of a flexible hose 25 or the like, is a short metal tube 26. Projecting from the end 27 of the barrel 22 is a short metal tube 28. These tubes 26 and 28 are connected together by a coupling 29 compressed as at 30 to provide a restricted passage or choke, for reasons hereinafter set forth.

Mounted in the end 31 of the stock 20 is an electromagnetic coil 32. Projecting from one side of the tube 21 is a pin 33. Pivotally supported by this pin 33 is an armature 34 which is attracted toward the core of the coil 32 when the latter is energized in a manner hereinafter described. The free end portion 35 of the armature 34 carries a pin 36 slidably mounted in a sleeve 36 carried by the barrel 22.

The tube 26 is mounted in a block 37. Secured to this block 37 is one end portion 38 of a leaf spring 39. The free end portion 46 of this leafspring 39 bears against the end of the pin 36 and yieldably holds the same in projected position in the barrel 22. A shot delivered to the barrel 22 for firing will be retained between the choke 3t) and the pin 36 until such time as the retained shot is to be expelled under pressure through the barrel 22.

In the stock 20 is arranged a trigger 41 which actuates a trigger switch 42. The armature 34 is enclosed within a suitable cap 43 secured to the tube 21 as at 43'.

The hose; 25 from the rifle is connected to a nipple 44 (Fig. 2) threaded into a "l fitting 45. A passage 46 of this T fitting 45 communicates with a passage 47. Through a coupling 48, the passage 46 communicates with a bore 49 formed in a block 50. Communicating with this bore 49 is a tube 51 through which shots from a hopper or storage container 52 are adapted to pass into the bore 49. Slidably arranged with an end portion projecting into the bore 49 is a plunger 53 designed to move a shot received into the bore 49 from the tube 51, past a retaining pin 54 spring-projected into the bore 49: by means of a spring 55. The plunger 53 is slidably arranged in a sleeve 56 and is" connected 'theretoby means of a slot and pin connection 57. The end of the sleeve 56 slidably projects through an opening 58 in a flange 58 of a bracket 59 secured to the base plate 60. The end of the sleeve 56 is pivotally connected as at 61 to an elongated bar 62. One end of this bar 62 is pivotally connected as at 63 to'base plate 60.

The stop pin 54 is located with respect to the tube 51 in a manner such that as a shot drops into the tube 51, it will be disposed between the stop pin 54 and the end of the plunger 53. When the plunger 53 is slidably moved relative to the sleeve 56 in a manner hereinafter set forth, the shot will be forced against the pin 54, moving the same downwardly against the action of the spring to a position to the left of the stop pin 54, as viewed in Fig. 6. In this position of the shot, the pin 54 having returned to normal blocking position as shown in Fig. 6 by the action of the spring 55, will prevent the shot from rolling back to the right-hand side of the pin 54 as viewed in Fig. 6. p

A spring 64 embraces the plunger 53 and is disposed between a collar 65 and the adjacent end portion 66 of the sleeve 56.

A bore 67 is formed in the-block 50 and extends at right angles with respect to the bore 49. The outer end of the bore 67 is closed by a plug 68. This bore 67 communicates with a valve chamber 69 extending at right angles with respect to the bore 6'7. In this valve chamber v. 1 I n V 3' '69 is a plug 70. Threaded against this plug is a retainer nut 71 having a sleeve 72, there being a gasket 73 arranged between the nut 71 and the adjacent reduced urged. against the valve'disc by a spring 82. In the plug-70 is formed a transverse opening 83 which communicates with bore 67 formed in the block 50. To properly register the opening'83 with the bore 67, there ispr ovided a' set screw 85 (Fig. '7).

The rod 78 slidably projects through an opening 86 formed in the flange 58 of the bracket 59. On the rod 78 is a pin 87 which limits the slidable projection of the'rod 78 under the action of the spring 82. The end portion 88 of the rod 78 is adapted to be engaged by the bar 62 in a manner and for the purpose hereinafter set forth. a e 7 The end'89 of the bar 62 is pivotally connected as at 90 to a link 91 in turn pivotally'connected as at 92 to a plunger 93 of an electromagnetic loading solenoid 94 carried by a bracket 95 secured to thebase plate 60 as at 96. On the plunger 93 is a head 93' which limits the movement of the plunger 93 under action of the energized coil 147 of the solenoid 94.

In the path 'of' pivotal movement of the bar 62 is an electromagnetic lock-out coil 97. This coil 97 includes a blocking plate 98 pivotally connected as at 99 to the lock-out coil 97. This plate 98 is adaptedrto block the pivotal movement of the bar 62 in one of its three positions, such position being illustrated in Fig. 2. Pivotal movement of the bar 62 against the action ofthe electromagnetic solenoid '94 is under theaction of a spring 100 7 having one end portion connected as at 101 to the bar 62 and an opposite end portion connected to an adjust ment bolt 102 carried by an arm 103 secured as at 104 to the base plate 60. V v

The bore 84 has threaded therein a coupling 105 which connects the bore 84 with a pressure regulating valve 106 in turn connected to a T fitting 107. This T fitting 107 by a coupling 108 is adapted to be connected to the compressor line (not shown) from a suitable-compressed air or gas reservoir with or withoutan appurtenant compressor to maintain same; The T fitting 107 by a conpling 109 communicates with an electromagnetic high pressurefsolenoid valve 110 ofan approved and wellknown construction. 7 The construction of this valve has not been illustrated or described because it in itself con-' stitntes no part of the present invention, and any standard or conventionalelectromagnetic solenoid valve now in commercial use may be employed. The valve 110 through a hose line 111 has connection through a coupling 1-12.

with the passage 47. a K V p The hopper52 is preferably in'the form' shown in with an elbow 113 in turn connected by a coupling 114 'FigsL-4 and 5, having a removable cover 115, with its walls tapering downwardly toward an elongated slot 116 to direct'the shotsto the tube 51-. Secured to the bottom wall 117 of the hopper 52 is a plate 118 between which is slidably arranged an elongated plate 119 having an opening 120'whic11 is adapted to register with the'tube 51 when the plate 119 is in theiposition shown in Fig.' 5. This plate 119 has at least two spaced agitating. pins 121 which are spaced from each other and are adapted for reciprocatory movement by the plate 119 within the slot 116. 'The-reciprocation of the plate 119 is'provided by a pin 122 eccentrically mounted on a stud 123 carried by a shaft 124 of a spring-mounted motor 125, the motor being so mounted so that during operation thereof 'jamming'of the plate 119 by reason ofa shot in the loading tube 51 projecting into the path of the plate 119 is overcome and will not afiiect. the continuous operation of the motor 125 while the gun is in use;

The pin 122 projects through an opening 126 formed in the plate' 118 with its end portion projecting into a transverse slot 127 formed in the plate 119. The arrangement is such that upon rotation of the shaft 124, the pin 122 operating in the transverse elongated slot 127 will reciprocate the plate 119 to move the agitating pins 121 in the slot 116, thereby to agitate the shots to assure proper How of the shots into the tube 51, which tube 51 forms a reserve of shot ready to be delivered into loading position- Any approved agitating means may be substituted for that shown in the drawings and described above, the object being to assure gravity feed of the shots into the tube 51. a

In Fig. 2, the parts are shown in starting position. In

such position, a shot has been loaded into the rifle from the last timing cycle. The rod 78 is ina position where movement of the rod to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, will move the valve head 81 from closed position with respect to. the valve disc 80, thereby to open communication between the bore 84 and the bore 67 to admit air under low pressure from the reducingvalve 106. This pressure, while low, is nevertheless suflicient to move the shot to the position between the choke 30 and the blocking pin 36 withinthe rifle, as shown in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive.' Movement of the rod 78 to the left is brought about by the energization of the coil 147' of electromagnetic. solenoid94 in a manner hereinafter explained in connection with the electric circuit. When the coil 147 of solenoid 94 and electromagnetic solenoid valve coil 146 are deenergized, the'coil 97 will be energized to move the blocking plate 98 from the path of the bar 62, whereby such bar, under action. of the spring 100, will be pivoted to the dotted line position indicated at 128 (Fig. 3), Where it will remain momentarily until the coil 147 of solenoid 94 is again energized. g In timed sequence with the movement of the rod 78 by pivotal movement of the bar 62 under action of the spring 100, the coil 146 of the electromagnetic high pressure solenoid valve 110 and the coil 147 of theloading solenoid 94 will be energized to open communication through the line 111,'to charge the line 25 with high air pressure to eject or fire the shot previously positionedin the rifle between choke 30 and blocking pin 36. 'The sequence of operation of the electromagnetic solenoid valve 110, the electromagnetic coil 147 of solenoid 94, and the lock-out coil 97 will be more fully understood in the lightof the-following description of the proposed circuit shown in Fig. '12 ofthe drawingsll InFig. 12, we have illustrated a preferred circuit for carrying out the objects of our invention. In this circuit V circuit arealso shot counter lights 133 which indicate the number of shots which the operator or playerhas made. i

At the start of operation, the shot counter S is in gameover position, energizing the twentieth shot light 134 and also the game-over light 135; the pin 36 is in shot-blocking position in'the gun barrel 22; and the loading arm 62 is in latched engagement with the lock-out coil 97. The shot is retained in position between the choke30 and the blocking pin 36 in the barrel '22. Also, at the start of operation, the low pressure line is closed .by the valve 81;. Theihigh pressure electromagnetic valve 110 is also in closedposition.

' The apparatus'is operated by the closing of'thefcoin switch 136. The closing of this switch 136 energizes the reset relay coil 137. This relay coil 137 closes a holding switch 138 which holds the relay coil 137 energized until the shot counter wiper arm 132 returns to zero position, at which time a switch 139 is opened to deenergize the relay coil 137; When reset relay coil 137 is energized, reset coil switch 140 is closed, energizing the step-up reset coil 130 of the shot counter S to return the wiper arm 132 to zero position, at which time the aforesaid switch 139 is opened to deenergize the reset relay coil 137 and the reset switch 140 is opened to deenergize the coil 130.

Upon closing of the trigger switch 42 by manual manipulation, the trigger relay'141 will be energized. In series with the trigger switch 42 are normally closed switches 142 and 143. The closing of the trigger switch 42 also energizes the blocking pin coil 32 in the rifle. When energized, the blocking pin coil 32 actuates armature 34 to withdraw the blocking pin 36. When the trigger relay coil 141 is energized, it closes the switch 144, as well as the switch 144' and switch 145. The closing of the switch 144 energizes the loading coil 147. Immediately following the closing of the switch 144, switch 145 closes to energize the high pressure solenoid valve coil 146, thereby firing the shot from the barrel 22. The closing of switch 144 by the energized trigger relay coil 141 starts the timing motor 148.

The timing motor 148 operates two cam discs 149 150.

and

The first cam disc 149 of the timing motor 148, when p the latter is running, closes switch 151 to hold the timing motor 148 energized for rotation through a cycle of 90. Switch 143 is simlultaneously opened upon the closing of switch 151 by the first cam disc 149 when the latter is in non-stop position to interrupt the trigger switch 42,

so that if the trigger switch 42 is heldclosed, the timing motor 148 continues to cycle through 90 until which time the trigger relay 141 cannot again be operated. When the trigger relay coil 141 is energized, it closes switch 153 which is in series with switch 154 actuated by the cam disc 149, whereby to hold the trigger relay coil 141 energized a predetermined period.

The second cam disc 150 on the timing motor 148 closes switch 155 immediately after the shot has been fired, to momentarily energize the lock-out coil 97, which allows a shot to drop into bore 49 from loading tube 51 and in the path of plunger 53. Switch 157 then closes momentarily by timer cam 150 which energizes the coil 147 of loading solenoid 94, causing plunger 53 to thrust the shot'to the left of the pin 54 (Fig. 6) and to actuate the rod 78 and thus admitting low pressure air through passage 67, which forces the shot through the connecting hose and into firing position between the choke and pin 36. After switch 157 opens, the bar 62 returns to latched position against the lock-out coil plate 98. allowing the plunger 53 to block ofi loading tube 51. Immediately after actuating the switch 157, timer cam 150 completes its cycle by the closing of switch 151. Also, during the cycle, cam disc 150 closes switch 156, energizing step-up coil 129 to advance wiper arm 132 one step to register one shot. As previously pointed out, switch 142 remains closed until the wiper arm 132 engages the twentieth contact button indicated at 131'. As long as this switch 142 remains closed, the agitator motor 125 continues to operate to agitate the shots in hopper 52.

Summarizing the operation, when the triggerswitch 42 is closed by manual manipulation, the high pressure solenoid valve 110 opens to allow a high pressure charge through the lines 111 and 25 to the rifle for firing the shot from the position between the choke 30 and the blocking pin 36 (assuming that a shot has been previously there positioned), the blocking pin 36 having been withdrawn -from blocking position by energization of the coil 32 upon closing of the trigger switch 42. Shortly after the energization of the solenoid-actuated valve 110 62 for pivotalmovement by action ofthe spring 100 to move the plunger 53 from blocking position with respect to the shot feed tube 51 leading from the hopperv 52, to

allow a shot to movedownwardly to behind the pin 54. Shortly after this withdrawal of the plunger 53, the solenoid loading coil 147 .is energized. Upon energization of the coil 147, thetbar 62 is pivoted in an opposite direction, against-.the action ofthe spring 100, to project the plunger 53 into shotblockingposition with respect to the tube 51 and to move the shot to a position forwardly of the pin 54. Simultaneously therewith the 'low pressure valve head 81 is moved to open position with respect to the passage 75 by engagement of'the rod 78 with the stud 77. The'opening of the passage 75 takes place upon the maximum movement of the plunger 93 of the loading solenoid 94. After this valve head 81 has moved to open position, the, blocking plate 98 of the lock-out coil 97 (the latter having been deenergized) drops into blocking-position with respect to the bar 62,

holding the bar 62 against pivotal movement under the action of the spring 100; In this position of the bar 62, the plunger 53 will be disposed in blocking position with respect to the shot feed tube 51 to prevent further shots from dropping into the bore 49.

The opening of the low pressure valve 81 admits suflicient pressure through the line 25 to the rifle to project the shot from its position forwardly of the pin 54 to firing position between the choke30 and the blocking pin 36, the blocking pin 36 having been returned to blocking position under action ofthe spring 39 upon deenergization of the coil 32. As before stated, with the shot in the position last mentioned, the trigger switch 42 then may be closed to open the high pressure solenoid valve and energize loading solenoid 147 for the firing of the shot.

It will benoted thatsthe cams 149 and 150 of the timing motor 148 rotate through a 90 cycle to complete the firing of ,a shot and the reloading of a shot in the rifle. Each of these 90 cycles of rotation is recorded as a shot by the shot counter S. -When wiper arm 132 reaches the twentieth shot contact button 131, game-over light 135 is illuminated to indicate completion of the game.

When the twentiethposition switch 142 of the shot counter S is opened and the wiper 132 is in contact with the twentieth shotcontact button 131, the trigger switch 42 will be opened and the apparatus rendered inoperative until the coin switch 136 is again'closed.

While in Fig. 12 we have shown twenty shot counter lights and shot contact buttons for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that any given number may be employed.

One of the advantages of our invention resides in the provision of a low air pressure to bring the shot from the hopper 52 to a firingposition within therifle, and a high air pressure utilized for projecting or firing the shot from firing position within .the rifle. The shot is not fired from the rifle until the high air pressure is admitted into the line 25 by the opening of the electromagnetic solenoid valve 110 in-a manner heretofore described in connection with the circuit diagram. By such arrangement, the shots are automaticallyloaded under low air pressure to firing position and are automatically fired from-the rifle under high air pressure.- Adevice constructed in accordance with the foregoing description is easy of operation and eflective for projecting a shot at a substantially high speed and with accuracy.

We have found that where the shotis picked up from the shot storage hopper 52, propelled under high pressure through the connecting flexible tubing and out the gun barrel, there is a tendency for the shot to spin or revolve, with the result that theshot is deflected from a straight-line trajectory. We overcome this undesirable condition by bringing the shot from the hopper 52 up to firing-position: underlow pneumatic pressure, to a stop,

and then employing 'high pneumatic pressure for the purpose of projecting the shot throughthe gun barrel. This 'results in reducing the deflection, if'any, of the shot from fa straight line trajectory, thus greatly increasing the ac- -c'uracy of the marksmanf Also, by such arrangement the 1 shots are rapidly broliht up to firing position and with --equal rapiditymay be fired from the rifle.

While we haye' illustrated and described the preferred formof construction for carrying our invention into ef "'fect, this is capable of variation and modification without "departing from the' spirit of the invention. We, therefore, do not Wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of 'such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended ciaims'y e Having thus described our invention, what we claim -"as new and desire t'o protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, "arifie having a trigger and a barrel through which "is pneumatically fired a shot, a shot.

storage container remotely located with respect to said rifle, aloadi'n'gand firing tube in communication be- -'-tween said-container and the barrel of said rifle, a shot arresting frileansprovided in said rifle between said tube and'said barrel for positioning a shot to be fired theref from, said means including a friction choke connection between said tube and said barrel,- a barrel'blocking pin in spaced relation to said choke and between which a *shot is arrested, means for sequentiallyadmitting low and high pneumatic pressure into said loading and firing tube, said low' pneumatic pressure delivering a shot 7 through said tube and past said choke into shot arresting position, electromagnetic means energized by actuation of said trigger for moving said blocking pin froin shot arresting position, said high pneumatic pressure being admitted into said tube when said electromagnetic means .is energized for firing a shot from said arrested'position when said blocking pin has been removed from pin block- :ing position by said electromagnetic means.

2. In combination, a rifle having a trigger and a barrel "through which is pneumatically fired a shot, a shot storage ';container' remotely located with respect to said rifle, ,a loading and firing tube in communication between said =container and the barrel of said rifle, a shot arresting means provided in said rifle between said tube and said barrel for positioning, a shot to be fired therefrom, said means'including a friction choke connection between said tube and said barrel, a barrel blocking pin in' spaced relation to said choke and between which a shot is arrested, rneans for sequentially admitting low and high pneumatic pressure into said loading andfiring tube, said low pneumatic pressure delivering a shot through said tube and past said choke into shot arresting positiomelec'tromagneticmeans energized by actuation of said trigger for moving said blockingpin from shot arresting position, said high pneumatic pressure being admitted into said tube when said electromagnetic means is energized ,for firing a shot from said'arrested position when said blocking pin has been removed from pin blocking position by said electromagnetic means, and means for delivering 'a 'shot from said'container to. said tube after said high pneumatic pressure has fired a shot from said rifle.

3. In combination, a rifle having a trigger and a barrel through which is pneumatically fired a shot, a shot storage container remotely. located "with respect to said rifle, a loading and firing tube in communication between-said container and the barrel ofr said rifle, a shot arresting means provided in said riflebetween said tubeand said barrel' for positioning a shot .to .befire d therefrom, said im'eans including a friction chokejconnection between said ,tube and saidbarrel, a barrel blocking pin in spaced relation to said choke andbetween which a shot is ar- V rested, means for sequentially admitting low and high said tube and past said chokinto shot arresting position,

electromagnetic means energized by actuation of said 7 trigger for movingsaid'blocking' pin from shot arresting position, said high. pneumatic pressure being admitted into said'tubeiwhen said electromagnetic means is energized forflfiring a shot from said arrested position when said blocking pin has'been removed from pin blocking position by sa'id e'lect romagnetic means, means for de- 'livering a shot from said containerto said tube after said high pneumatic pressure has fired a shot from said rifle, and blocking means for preventing said delivering means 'from delivering a shot tosaid tube while said high pneumatic pressure is firing a shot from said rifle.

. 4. In combination, a rifle having a trigger and a barrel through which is pneumatically fired a shot, a shot storage container remotely located with respect to said rifle, a loading and firingtube infcommunication between said a container and the barrel of said rifle, an electromagnetic loading coil for actuating a loading plunger for delivering a shot from said container to said tube, a source of low pneumatic pressure, means actuated by said electromagnetic coil for admitting low pneumatic pressure into said tubebehind said shot delivered by said loading plunger to move said shot through said tube to said rifle, a shot arresting means provided in said rifle between said tube in and said barrel for receiving and positioninga shot moving through said tube by said-low'pneumatic pressure, a source of high pneumaticpressure, means for removing said shot arresting means from a shot arresting position,

and'means for admitting high pneumatic pressure into said tube to fire said shot through said barrel after it is released from said shot arresting means.

5. In'combination, a rifle having a trigger and a barrel 7 through which is pneumatically fired a shot, a shot storage container remotely located with respect to said rifle, a loading and firing tube in communication between said container and the barrel of said rifle, an electromagnetic loading coil'for actuating a loading plunger for delivering pneumatic pressure 'into' said loading and firing tube,

a shot from said container to said tube, a source of low pneumatic pressure, valve means actuated by' said elec- IIomagnetic coilfor admittinglow pneumatic pressure 'into said tube behind saidshot delivered by said loading plunger to move said shot through said tube to said rifle, a shot arresting means provided in saidrifle between said tube and said barrel for receiving and positioning a shot moving through said tube by said low pneumatic pressure, a source ofhigh pneumatic pressure, means for removing said shot arresting means from a shot arrest- ;ing position,'and valve meansfor admitting high pneumaticjpre'ssure into said tube to fire said shot through said barrel after it is released from said shot arresting means.

6. Incombinatio'n, a rifle having a trigger and a barrel through which is pneumatically fired a shot, a'shot storage container remotely located with respect to said rifle, a loadingand firing tube in communication between said container and the barrel of said rifle, an electromagnetic loading coil for actuating a loading plunger for deliverving a shot from said containerlto said tube, a source of :low pneumatic pressure, valve meansactuated by said electromagnetic coil for admitting low pneumatic pres- .sure into said tube, behind' said shot delivered by said loading plunger to movesaidshot through said tube to saidrifle a-sh ot arresting means provided. in said rifle between said tube and said barrel for receiving and positioning a shot moving through said tube'by said low pneumatic pressure, a source of high pneumatic pressure, means for removing said shot arresting means from a shot arresting position, valve means fonadmitting high pneumatic pressure into said tube to fire said shotthrough said barrel after it isreleased from said shot arresting means, and means'for effecting successive energization of ,said loading coil and said 'low: and high pneumatic pressure valve means} g f I In m ga m a rifle a n atri a rand a barrel through which is}ineurnatically fired a shot, a' shot storage container remotely located with respect to said rifle,

a loading and firing tube in communication between said said tube behind said shot delivered by said loading plunger to move said shot through said tube to said rifle, a shot arresting means provided in said rifle between said tube and said barrel for receiving and positioning a shot moving through said tube by said low pneumatic pressure, a source of high pneumatic pressure, means for removing said shot arresting means from a shot arresting position, means for admitting high pneumatic pressure into said tube to fire said shot through said barrel after it is released from said shot arresting means, and blocking means for preventing said loading plunger from delivering a shot to said tube while said high pneumatic pressure is firing a shot from said rifle.

8. In combination, a rifle having a trigger and a barrel through which is pneumatically fired a shot, a shot storage container remotely located with respect to said rifle, a loading and firing tube in communication be tween said container and the barrel of said rifle, an electromagnetic loading coil for actuating a loading plunger for delivering a shot from said container to said tube, a source of low pneumatic pressure, valve means actuated by said electromagnetic coil for admitting low pneumatic pressure into said tube behind said shot delivered by said loading plunger to move said shot through said tube to said rifle, a shot arresting means provided in said rifle between said tube and said barrel for receiving and positioning a shot moving through said tube by said low pneumatic pressure, a source of high pneumatic pressure, means for removing said shot arresting means from a shot arresting position, valve means for admitting high pneumatic pressure into said tube to fire said shot through said barrel after it is released from said shot arresting means, means for efiecting successive energization of said loading coil and said low and high pneumatic pressure valve means, and blocking means for preventing said loading plunger from delivering a shot to said tube while said high pneumatic pressure is firing a shot from said rifle.

9. In combination, a rifle having a trigger and a barrel through which is pneumatically fired a shot, a shot storage container remotely located with respect to said rifle, a loading and firing tube in communication between said container and the barrel of said rifle, an electromagnetic loading coil for actuating a loading plunger for delivering a shot from said container to said tube, a source of low pneumatic pressure, valve means actuated by said electromagnetic coil for admitting low pneumatic pressure into said tube behind said shot delivered by said loading plunger to move said shot through said tube to said rifle, a shot arresting means provided in said rifle between said tube and said barrel for receiving and positioning a shot moving through said tube by said low pneumatic pressure, a source of high pneumatic pressure, means for removing said shot arresting means from a shot arresting position, and valve means for admitting high pneumatic pressure into said tube to fire said shot through said barrel after it is released from said shot arresting means, and blocking means for preventing said loading plunger from delivering a shot to said tube while said high pneumatic pressure is firing a shot from said rifle.

10. In combination, a rifle having a trigger and a barrel through which is pneumatically fired a shot, a shot storage container remotely located with respect to said rifle, a loading and firing tube in communication between said container and the barrel of said rifle, an electromagnetic loading coil for actuating a loading plunger for delivering a shot from said container to said tube, a source of low pneumatic pressure, means actuated by said electromagnetic coil for admitting low pneumatic pressure into said tube behind said shot delivery by said loading plunger to move said shot through said tube to said rifle, a shot arresting means provided in said rifle between said tube and said barrel for receiving and positioning a shot moving through said tube by said low pneumatic pressure, a source of high pneumatic pressure, means actuated by said trigger for removing said shot arresting means from a shot arresting position and means actuated by said trigger for admitting high pneumatic pressure intosaid tube to fire said shot through said barrel after it is released from said shot arresting means.

11. In combination, a rifle having a trigger and a barrel through which is pneumatically fired a shot, a shot storage container remotely located with respect to said rifle, a loading and firing tube in communication between said container and the barrel of said rifle, an electromagnetic loading coil for actuating a. loading plunger for delivering a shot from said container to said tube, a source of low pneumatic pressure, valve means actuated by said electromagnetic coil for admitting low pneumatic pressure into said tube behind said shot delivered by said loading plunger to move said shot through said tube to said rifle, a shot arresting means provided in said rifle between said tube and said barrel for receiving and positioning a shot moving through said tube by said low pneumatic pressure, a source of high pneumatic pressure, means actuated by said trigger for removing said shot arresting means from a shot arresting position, and valve means actuated by said trigger for admitting high pneumatic pressure into said tube to fire said shot through said barrel after it is released from said shot arresting means.

12. In combination, a rifle having a trigger and a barrel through which is pneumatically fired a shot, a shot storage container remotely located with respect to said rifle, a loading and firing tube in commhnication between said container and the barrel of said rifle, an electromagnetic loading coil for actuating a loading plunger for delivering a shot from said container to said tube, a source of low pneumatic pressure, valve means actuated by said electromagneticcoil for admitting low pneumatic pressure into said tube behind said shot delivered by said loading plunger to move said shot through said tube to said rifle, a shot arresting means provided in said rifle between said tube and said barrel for receiving and positioning a shot moving through said tube by said low pneumatic pressure, a source of high pneumatic pressure, means actuated by said trigger for removing said shot arresting means from a shot arresting position, valve means actuated by said trigger for admitting high pneumatic pressure into said tube to fire said shot through said barrel after it is released from said shot arresting means, and means for effecting successive energization of said loading coil and said low and high pneumatic pressure valve means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 372,476 Linscott Nov. 1, 1887 1,477,698 Emmelin Dec. 18, 1923 1,743,576 Smith Jan. 14, 1930 1,750,823 Stewart Mar. 18, 1930 2,238,384 Feltman Apr. 15, 1941 2,308,814 Kenney et al Ian. 19, 1943 2,312,244 Feltman Feb. 23, 1943 2,398,813 Swisher -5 Apr. 23, 1946 2,525,082 Sherman Oct. 10, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 187,419 Germany July 20, 1907 

